Showing respect to your family members

Two days ago, Dr. Tang shared 10 tips on how to be a respectful person in the school community. Yesterday, Ms. SM Wong shared a story about a blind man with a lamp, reminding us to be considerate and think for others. Today, I would like to focus specifically on the theme of family relationships.

Family is the basic unit of society. It is one of the core values in Catholic Education. As a teacher with over twenty years of experience, I have witnessed numerous conflicts between students and their parents. Furthermore, I can personally relate to this issue, as I, too, had a somewhat tense relationship with my own mother when I was young.

During the teenage years, we often experience a range of emotions and undergo significant changes. It is a time when we may struggle to find our identity and strive for independence. However, it is crucial to recognize the importance of showing respect to our family members, especially our parents.

Respect within the family is built on a foundation of love, trust, and understanding. And communication plays a key role. For instance, consider the act of leaving your parents on “read.” This means that you have read their message, with the double blue tick indicating so, but have chosen not to respond. In Chinese, “已讀不回”. This can make your parents feel ignored and unimportant.

Next, sharing more about your friends and school life with your parents can greatly improve communication. Let them in on your experiences and challenges. This helps them understand your world better and allows for meaningful conversations that strengthen the bond.

Showing respect to your family members also involves being considerate of their needs and feelings. Take the time to ask how their day was, lend a helping hand with housework, or simply offer a listening ear when they need to share their thoughts or concerns. Small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness go a long way in nurturing respectful relationships within the family.

Additionally, it is important to remember that respect is bi-directional. While we expect respect from our family members, it is equally important to demonstrate respect towards them. Starting from today, let’s treat our family members with kindness, patience, and empathy.

Mr Lau SB
6 September 2023